Birding along the Fox River in downtown Waukesha today produced a pair of adult Hooded Mergansers, males. They briefly gave nice views when hanging out with Mallards, but then at times moved short distances up and down the river by themselves. There were still ~50 Common Goldeneye on the river along with some Lesser Scaup, pair of Bufflehead and 100+ Mallards. A short birding run along the lakefront in Milwaukee from Bayview to Bradford Beach produced fewer birds than previous days, nothing to note other than previously reported birds. It seemed like the many large rafts of winter ducks had moved north. I saw many large flocks of ducks flying north over the water yesterday. It was a beautiful spring like day with temps well into the 40’s, sunny skies, low winds. Images were taken on February 27, 2018.
Hooded Merganser, male with crest up…
The pair of male Hooded Mergansers…
Hooded Merganser…
Hooded Merganser some displaying…
Hooded Merganser more displaying…
Hooded Merganser, male with crest down…
Hooded Merganser just floating along…
Hooded Merganser with the wind blowing from behind…
Cruising along…
Hooded Merganser with the crest partially down…
Hooded Merganser male, such a beautiful duck!
Stunning photos of a stunning bird. Thanks for sharing, Jim!
Nice Pictures of this spectacular bird, thanks again for sharing them